Source Water Protection

The Source Water Protection Program prevents increased risk to the public water supply by regulating the quantity and use of chemicals by businesses located in the Multi-Jurisdictional Source Water Protection Area. This is accomplished through chemical inventory reviews, periodic facility inspections, and financial incentives to businesses.

Public Health staff also provides technical assistance to officials of Harrison Township, the cities of Riverside, Vandalia and Huber Heights. The city of Dayton operates a parallel program within the Dayton corporation limits.

Note: If located within Harrison Township, Riverside, Vandalia, or Huber Heights, call Public Health staff. If located within Dayton city limits, call Dayton Division of Environmental Management.

The Program helps protect the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer, one of the most productive sources of groundwater in North America.

FAQ

How is this program beneficial?

The Sherwin-Williams paint warehouse fire in 1987 demonstrated that it is very risky to store chemicals over the area’s primary drinking water supply. Since 1988 the program has overseen a 17 million pound permanent reduction of chemicals stored in the Source Water Protection Area.

What and where is the Source Water Protection Area?

It is a water-bearing zone around the City of Dayton well fields where spilled chemical contaminants would reach public water supply wells within one year. It includes parts of Dayton, Riverside, Harrison Township, Huber Heights, Vandalia and Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

What materials are regulated by the Source Water Protection Program?

The regulations restrict substances which have a Material Data Safety Sheet indicating a health hazard. As a rough rule of thumb, nearly any substance which you should not eat or drink would be regulated.

What requirements are placed on my business after opening?

Business operators are obligated to keep chemical inventories within the limits established, to file a chemical inventory report every two years, allow access for periodic chemical inventory inspections, and report chemical spills to appropriate authorities.

How can I get more information about risk reduction assistance for my business in the Source Water Protection Area?

Contact Public Health staff if your business is in Harrison Township, Riverside, Vandalia, or Huber Heights. If it is located within the city of Dayton, contact the Dayton Division of Environmental Management.

Hours

MON

8:00am - 11:30am12:30pm - 4:30pm

TUE

8:00am - 11:30am12:30pm - 4:30pm

WED

8:00am - 11:30am12:30pm - 4:30pm

THU

8:00am - 11:30am12:30pm - 4:30pm

FRI

8:00am - 11:30am12:30pm - 4:30pm

About Us

Public Health provides its services to the community without regard to a person’s ethnicity, race, ability, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or socioeconomic status.

Public Health services are far ranging and comprehensive. We continually evaluate the changing needs of our community and implement new strategies to meet those needs.

Our services are culturally sensitive and linguistically appropriate for all people served.